Pirlo

Thierry Henry thinks that Antonio Conte won’t be worried to speak his mind and then he will probably be brutally honest with Chelsea’s players.

The Frenchman worked under Conte when he was at Juventus, before he joined Arsenal in 1999.

Henry wrote in his column for Sun on Sunday: “Chelsea’s players had better be prepared for some painful home truths when Antonio Conte arrives at Stamford Bridge, because that’s exactly what they’re going to get from their new manager.”

“Andrea Pirlo revealed that the first thing Conte said to the Juventus players when he was appointed as their coach in 2011 was: ‘When are you going to stop being so s***?'”“Well, I don’t know if he’ll use exactly the same words at the Bridge but the sentiments will be identical because it’s astonishing how poor Chelsea have been this season.”

“I still don’t believe it was right to sack Jose Mourinho because he was entitled to be given the benefit of the doubt for one average campaign after all he had done for the club. But you can be sure that Conte will hold the players to account for their shortcomings and he won’t spare anyone’s feelings in his analysis of what has gone wrong.”

Former Juventus midfielder and Italian International star Andrea Pirlo spoke recently about the new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.

“The man” – he said – “can be a beast, a dressing room when he is angry is one of the most dangerous places you can be. I have been in his dressing room at half-time when we have been winning, but he comes in and will be throwing full bottles of water around because of a mistake we made, or because he feels we should be further ahead.”

Then added: “When Conte speaks, his words assault you. They crash through the doors of your mind, often quite violently and settle deep within you.”

About Conte’s way of life: “His life is football. I know he is up until 3-4am in the morning, studying videos, looking at errors, ­studying the opposition of the next game. He has two wives – Elisabetta and football.”

“I even know he will turn on the bedroom lights in the middle of the night because he has thought of something he needs to write down – you will not find a more understanding woman than her.”

Antonio Conte will have to make one of the most difficult decisions at Chelsea: to tell probably the most significant player in the club’s history whether or not he has a future at the club.

The club says they do not see the value in extending the 35-year-old’s deal, but they will be swayed by whatever the new manager has to say.

Conte is tied up with the matter of Euro 2016, so he could potentially not arrive in London until July 10th. Nine days after the opening of the summer transfer window, and ten days after Terry’s Chelsea contract ends.

The defender spent part of this international break commuting to China, on a promotional visit for Chelsea sponsors Yokohama, where he has been linked with a potentially move to the Super League.

Conte has worked with older players before, he brought new life to the career of Andrea Pirlo at Juventus.

Frank Lampard said: “I think John’s a link with the Chelsea fans, but the decision will be made by the owners. Same as what happened with me. Eventually your time comes. I’m not sure now is John’s time.”

But it is not Lampard’s decision, it is Conte’s. He will be known as the man who either saved or axed John Terry.

Chelsea Legends Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba were reunited when New York City and Montreal Impact faced each other in a preseason friendly. Although neither player was involved New York City eventually won 1-0. The pair spent 8 seasons together and looked delighted to see each other as shown in a video on New York City’s twitter page.

New York City are managed by Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and also have Andrea Pirlo and David Villa in their squad. The MLS season kicks off on 6th March as Lampard’s side play Chicago Fire and Drogba’s play against the Vancouver Whitecaps.